You may see your roof every day, but has roof maintenance ever crossed your mind? It is an essential part of your home, protecting you and your family against rain, hail, heat, and snow. Since it is exposed to various elements every day, expect it to deteriorate or become damaged in a few years. While it is expected for roofs to last up to 50 years, depending on the material they are made from, they need TLC being the most vulnerable part of your home.
Here are reasons roof maintenance should be an annual obligation:
Maintenance extends the roof’s lifespan
When your roof is exposed to various kinds of conditions, you are also reducing its ability to provide ample protection. With maintenance, you are not only increasing the lifespan of your roof but also detecting potential problems as early as possible. A roof that undergoes regular maintenance can keep replacement at bay. Since the replacement is more expensive than a repair, inspecting and maintaining your roof ensure that you reduce unexpected costs.
There are several factors that will determine how often you should have your roof maintained. When scheduling an appointment with a roof specialist, their recommendations regarding the frequency of maintenance will depend on the weather condition, the age of your roof and any underlying problems that have been discovered during the previous inspections. Even newer roof still requires maintenance. It should be inspected once every few years.
You cannot always rely on your warranty
Your roof might still be under warranty that you no longer feel worried about the expenses that roof repair or replacement will entail. The problem is, a warranty does not give full security. You still have to remember the things that are not covered. The common misconception with warranties is that the company will pay for everything. Warranties have exceptions. Even when you are dealing with a roof warranty, it does not necessarily mean that they do not have limited value. When checking the warranty of your roof, do not forget to find out about the factors at stake.
The roof warranties may also vary from company to company. If materials have been installed incorrectly, warranties will be voided. Roofing companies advise homeowners to get a professional inspector once every few years, especially after your home has experienced a major weather event. Inspection and maintenance keep the warranty active. Not showing proof that your roof has been regularly maintained can get you into trouble if you attempt to claim your warranty in the future.
Gain peace of mind
Being aware that your roof is capable of protecting you against various conditions will give you peace of mind. There is no need to worry about leaks after every weather event or think about mold growth that can make your family sick. With preventative maintenance, you can keep your roof in good shape. Even problems in the future can be successfully prevented because a roofing contractor will thoroughly inspect the problem. Maintenance allows you to be in control of the situation so you can focus on other things.
Save money
To some, regular roof maintenance may mean spending money, but in the long run, it can be both a time and money saver. Imagine being in an emergency situation. If you are at the mercy of a roofing company who is only after your money, you will not be able to get desirable results and will need to deal with the same problem. When roofing issues are not properly addressed, a leaking roof can damage your floors and walls. Most companies are making money from emergency service calls and not on roof replacement.
These service calls are billed based on the time spent and the materials used. You will also have to pay extra money if the job has been performed on holidays, weekends or evenings. The bill will also be affected by factors like your location, the nature of the problem and the equipment. If the roofing contractor found out that your roof has a major problem, you will end up spending thousands of dollars on repairs. The repair can also cause you to miss work or experience inconveniences as you are unable to live in all or part of your house. Allowing inspection and maintenance to take a back seat can result in paying more for emergency repairs.
Early detection of problems
Your roof may not be showing signs of wear, but there can be hidden problems that maintenance can immediately address. There are instances when you cannot easily detect the damage until your roof starts to leak. You will notice that the problem has become larger than you would have expected.
Water can invade your attic and cause damage to your insulation, structural steel, and wood framing. The walls may also start leaking even before mold starts to grow. It can be tricky to detect roof leaks because they are a combination of gravity and water. You will never know the source of the problem unless you have performed regular inspections to locate the problem.
Improves curb appeal
If you want your house to be presentable inside and out, you should not take your roof for granted. Having an attractive exterior should also mean having well-maintained roof. In fact, if you are planning to sell your home, an attractive exterior can make your home more appealing. If you have clogged gutters due to snow or rain, these problems can ruin your landscape. Roof algae can also contribute to the roof’s premature damage. These problems can be properly addressed if you schedule roof maintenance which will include debris removal or roof cleaning.
Maintenance is essential in keeping your roof efficient in protecting your home and the people who live there. Dealing with roof problems can be time-consuming and frustrating. The good news is that you can still keep the problem under control with roof maintenance. In the long run, you can reap numerous benefits from preventative maintenance because it is time-saving, environment-friendly, provides you peace of mind and can extend your roof’s life.